QUICK ANSWER
"Barely" is an adverb which is often translated as "apenas", and "hardly" is an adverb which is also often translated as "apenas". Learn more about the difference between "barely" and "hardly" below.
barely(
behr
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (hardly)
a. apenas
I can barely see anything. Where are my glasses?Apenas puedo ver. ¿Dónde están mis anteojos?
Jeez, Fred, this coffee is barely drinkable.Por Dios, Fred, este café apenas se puede beber.
2. (scantily)
a. escasamente
My bedroom is barely furnished because I am a minimalist.Mi habitación está escasamente amueblada porque soy minimalista.
hardly(
hard
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (general)
a. apenas
There's hardly any space left in the suitcase. Maybe we should bring another.Apenas cabe más en la maleta. Quizás deberíamos traer otra.
b. casi
That restaurant used to be really popular, but now hardly anyone goes anymore.Ese restaurante antes era muy popular, pero ya no va casi nadie.
c. difícilmente
We were so far away from the stage we could hardly see the band members.Estábamos tan lejos del escenario que difícilmente podíamos ver a los músicos.
